unlawful arrest

: the restraining and seizure of a person whether or not by physical force by someone acting under authority (as a police officer) in connection with a crime in such a manner that it is reasonable under the circumstances for the person to believe that he or she is not free to leave — see also miranda warnings, probable cause at cause 2, warrant — compare stop

— citizenʼs arrest
: an arrest made not by a law officer but by any citizen who derives the authority to arrest from the fact of being a citizen Note: Under common law, a citizen may make an arrest for any felony actually committed, or for a breach of the peace committed in his or her presence.

— civil arrest
: the arrest and detention of a defendant in a civil suit until he or she posts bail or pays the judgment — see also capias ad respondendum Note: Civil arrest is restricted or prohibited in most states.

— custodial arrest
: an arrest of a person accompanied by or followed by taking the person into custody

— false arrest
: an arrest made without legal authority — called also unlawful arrest Note: If a person is taken into custody, no matter how briefly, a false arrest is also false imprisonment.

— pretext arrest
: the arrest of a person for a minor crime (as a traffic violation) for the real purpose of getting an opportunity to investigate (as through a search) the person's possible involvement in a more serious crime for which there are no lawful grounds to make an arrest — called also pretextual arrest

— unlawful arrest
: false arrest in this entry

: to place under arrest